Calamitous Intervention

Game On! / Girl Time

It was a rainy day outside in Amphibia, with the occasional thunderclap. Luz and the Plantars were eating breakfast that Hop Pop prepared, as per usual. The human was surprised at how quickly she had gotten used to eating his cooking, having thought she never would.

After finishing her bowl, Luz entered her room, grabbed her bag, and prepared herself for another trip outside. She was excited to see more of this world and who else lived beyond Wartwood. As she grabbed some potions to defend herself, Hop Pop walked in with his hands on his hips.

"And just where do you think you're going?" he asked sternly, already knowing the answer.

"I'm gonna go exploring!" the human informed him, hoisting the bag over her shoulder. "I have a lot planned for today. I plan to go study with Maddie, visit Ivy, continue my search for Stringbean, and do anything else I think of."

"Absolutely not!" Hop Pop said, and her smile immediately disappeared.

"Why not?" she asked, her voice sad.

"Don't ya remember what happened the last time I let you take Bessie?" he explained. "You ran into another coastal kill-a-pillar! You're lucky you got outta there with no injuries."

"But I'll be careful this time," Luz pleaded desperately.

However, the old frog remained unconvinced. "You're not goin' anywhere today," he said in a tone of finality. "You said last time you could defend yourself, but you nearly got eaten. This is for your own good, Luz."

The human sighed, feeling her excitement vanishing. "I was really looking forward to at least going to see Maddie."

"Every time you leave the house, something dangerous always happens," Hop Pop reminded her. "I wouldn't say you're naïve, but... Actually, I would. You are too naïve. You're gonna get yourself hurt one of these days. Also, it's pourin' outside. Do you really wanna go out in that kind of weather?"

Luz's head hung low as she thought about this. "I like the rain, but since I can't leave, I don't know what I'm gonna do here. I've already read most, if not all, of your books."

"You'll find somethin' to do," he assured her, turning to leave the room. "Just stay away from the pain peppers. I saw Sprig tasting one of them, and those aren't meant for us... in particular..."

Chapter Thirteen - Game On! / Girl Time

Luz plopped down onto her bed, getting lost in her thoughts. She didn't know what to do, but the thought of the pain peppers lingered in her mind. She then got an idea of how she could defend herself a lot better. It sounded cruel, but it would definitely be useful in a life-or-death situation.

She headed into the living room where Sprig and Polly were, and took a glance out the window to see the rain pouring over the farm. Sprig's eyes lit up when he saw his friend, and he approached her. "Hey, Luz. Got anything planned for today?" he asked.

"I'm planning to do some experimenting with Hop Pop's pain peppers," Luz told him, and this seemed to pique his interest.

"Why are you using those?" the frog boy wondered. "Unless you're..." They pointed at each other with one finger in mutual understanding, with Sprig grinning mischievously. "Ahhh, I see what you're planning. I wouldn't wish that on my worst enemies, though, if I had any."

"It's more for a life or death situation," Luz assured him. "I'm not cruel like that."

Polly hopped over, also having an interest ever since the pain peppers were mentioned. "Is someone gonna suffer today? I'm in!"